Huebert, Peter David (1898-1942)

Peter David Huebert: preacher and relief worker; born 16 November 1898 in Margenau, Molotschna Mennonite Settlement, South Russia, to David and Helena (Wolf) Huebert. He was the fourth of eight children born to his mother and father but the 15th of 19 children in the family. In 1923, he married Liese Voth, daughter of Peter and Anna (Enns) Voth. The couple had three daughters. Peter was arrested in 1937 and exiled; according to information the family received, he died on 24 July 1942 at his place of exile in the Soviet Union.

As a child, Peter lived with his family in Margenau but attended elementary school in Gnadenfeld, followed by Zentralschule in the same village. His mother died in 1913 and his father in 1917. In the same year, Peter was drafted into alternative service and worked in the Forsteidienst (forestry service) at the Neu-Berdyansk Station. He was discharged in 1918 and found work in his home village of Margenau. During the Civil War, he was drafted again, this time by the pro-Tsarist White Army, served with a Cossack regiment, and was captured and imprisoned in the Fortress Premyschlj in Poland. Along the way, Peter had contracted typhus, had frozen his feet, and was starving, but help for the prisoners eventually arrived from North America. Peter returned to Russia in November 1920 and was finally able to reach home, where he stayed with his brother Heinrich Huebert, who lived in Alexandertal, Molotschna Mennonite Settlement.

After his return home, Huebert studied bookkeeping with his step-brother Kornelius Martens in Gnadenfeld, after which he was appointed court official in Tokmak. The things he saw during this time caused him to waver in his faith, but he was converted in 1922 after his return to Alexandertal. He was baptized by Johann A. Toews and then joined the Mennonite Brethren church. He helped in the food distribution of the American and Dutch Mennonite relief efforts during the famine of 1922-1923, particularly in the village of Alexandertal. Starting in 1923, Peter also assisted others in making arrangements for immigration to Canada, although he was unable to go because of health concerns in the family.

At the request of the church, Peter began to preach occasionally, probably at about the same time as his brother Gerhard, who later served as a minister in Canada. He also served in other capacities in the church, working especially with the youth until he was arrested and exiled in 1937. The family later received information that he had died on 24 July 1942 at his place of exile. In about 1941, Liese and her daughters were evacuated to Kazakhstan and settled there.

Peter David Huebert was a dedicated preacher, bookkeeper, and relief worker who helped many people in his family and community. Despite the many trials in his own life, he remained faithful to his calling and was an example for the people around him and for future generations.